NY's Backe confident of landing midfielder

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Sunday marks the day when the domestic transfer window closes, and the Red Bulls remain optimistic they will be adding at least one more player to the roster as they make a playoff push.

New York head coach Hans Backe said he is confident that a European-based player will be joining the team sometime soon. In addressing the media, the Swede said he hopes to have word on the player’s arrival and contract signature as early as Thursday afternoon.

Backe confirmed he understands the odds were better than 50-50 that the addition would be made, but cautioned that nothing is signed or certain.

The player is not a central midfielder or the creative No. 10 that he has been searching for, but he sees him as a good addition to the roster in time for the MLS Cup playoffs.

Earlier this week, Backe seemed less certain about the addition, saying that the team was running against the tight transfer deadline window this Sunday. While he still remains tentative, Backe was more upbeat on Thursday following the team’s training session at Montclair State University. He even painted the outlook in an upbeat fashion.